Moving into a new apartment is exciting, offering a chance to create a fresh home. However, be aware of unexpected odors. These might indicate underlying issues like leaky pipes or pet messes.
Everyday movers often joke that your nose knows more than your landlord will admit—and they’re not wrong. That slightly sour smell in the corner or the lingering mustiness near the vents could point to moisture damage or even past flooding. These aren’t just minor inconveniences. Unchecked issues like mold or improper ventilation can impact your health, your belongings, and your ability to feel truly settled in your space.
Whether you’re unpacking or doing a pre-move walkthrough, take a moment to assess the air quality. This guide highlights seven common apartment smells, their causes, and when to take action. Let’s decode your new apartment’s aroma profile!
When a Scent Isn’t Just a Scent: Why Odors Matter
Sometimes, a smell is just a smell. Other times, it’s a red flag hiding in plain (or pungent) air. Trusting your senses can help you uncover issues that visual inspections might miss. Odors can point to previous tenants’ habits, cleaning shortcuts, or building-wide maintenance problems.
1. Musty or Damp Smell
What it might mean: Moisture buildup, mold, or mildew, often from water leaks or poor ventilation.
This scent is often described as “old basement” or “wet towel left too long.” It’s especially common in bathrooms, laundry areas, and near windows or exterior walls. Moisture may be trapped in walls, flooring, or around HVAC units. Mold spores thrive in humid environments and might not be visible until the issue becomes serious.
What to do: Ask your landlord if the apartment has had prior water damage or mold remediation. If you’re concerned, use a moisture meter. If mold is visible, request professional treatment. At the very least, run a dehumidifier and increase airflow.
2. Cigarette or Tobacco Smell
What it might mean: Long-term smoking indoors, lingering tar and nicotine in walls, ceilings, or carpets.
Previous tenants may not have followed the rules even if the lease says no smoking. Cigarette smoke is persistent, seeping into porous materials, and can be difficult to remove. The odor intensifies when the room heats up or becomes humid.
What to do: Clean or replace air filters. Ask if the carpets were professionally cleaned. Consider repainting walls or using odor-sealing primers. Air purifiers with HEPA filters help, too.
3. Pet Odors
What it might mean: Previous tenants had pets, and the unit wasn’t fully sanitized.
This includes many smells, such as wet dog, litter box, cat urine, or even that musky ferret scent. Pet odors can linger in carpets, baseboards, subfloors, and even ductwork. One overlooked detail? Animals sometimes mark inside HVAC returns or on vertical surfaces.
What to do: Request a deep clean or a carpet replacement. Enzyme-based cleaners are your best friend here. They break down organic compounds and help neutralize stubborn smells.
4. Sour or Vinegary Smell
What it might mean: Bacterial growth, dirty drains, or an old food spill hiding somewhere.
This odor may be strongest in the kitchen, under sinks, or near garbage disposals. It can also come from old sponges, mop buckets, or expired cleaners left behind. Occasionally, this scent could signal a moldy air conditioning unit or dirty refrigerator coils.
What to do: Deep-clean kitchen drains with baking soda and vinegar. Check for food debris under appliances. Run a disinfectant cycle through the dishwasher and washing machine. If the smell’s in the air, try replacing your AC filter.
5. Burnt or Electrical Smell
What it might mean: Faulty wiring, overloaded outlets, or old appliances.
This one deserves your attention. A burnt or metallic smell can be a sign that the wiring behind the walls is overheating. Sometimes, it’s just dust burning off heating elements, but if the smell doesn’t go away or gets worse when electronics are plugged in, call maintenance.
What to do: Don’t ignore it. Ask management to inspect the electrical system. Use surge protectors. Avoid plugging too many high-wattage items into the same outlet.
6. Sewage or Rotten Egg Smell
What it might mean: Sewer gas leak, dry P-trap, or a bigger plumbing issue.
That sharp, nose-wrinkling stench can be more than a nuisance. It could indicate health risks. If you notice this near your bathroom, laundry room, or kitchen, it might be due to a dry drain trap letting gas into the unit. In rare cases, it could point to a natural gas leak (especially if it smells like sulfur or rotten eggs).
What to do: Run water in unused sinks or tubs to re-seal the traps. If the smell persists or worsens, notify maintenance right away. If it smells like natural gas, exit the unit and call the gas company.
7. Chemical or Artificial Scent
What it might mean: Cover-up odors, fresh paint, or recent pest control treatments.
A strong chemical scent might feel clean, but it could be masking something. New paint, carpet glue, or pesticide treatments often leave behind sharp smells, which can be irritating for people with allergies or respiratory conditions.
What to do: Open windows and let the space air out as much as possible. Ask your landlord what recent work was done. If it was pest control, get details on the chemicals used and how long they remain active.
Trust Your Nose But Ask Questions Too
Your nose might not have a diploma, but it’s got pretty good instincts. A strange smell can be the first clue that something’s off—something you might not see in the glow of fresh paint or under those charming Edison bulbs.
Listing photos are designed to showcase a space at its best. Even in-person tours can gloss over subtle issues, especially if you’re focused on square footage or closet space. That’s why paying attention to how the space feels (including how it smells) is just as important.
If something in the air catches your attention, don’t shrug it off. Speak up. Ask the property manager directly:
- Has there been water damage in the past?
- Was the unit recently treated for pests?
- Were the carpets professionally cleaned after the last tenant?
- Has this unit ever had mold, pet issues, or smoke damage?
You’re not being difficult—you’re being thorough. A good landlord will appreciate that you care about the space and should be able to answer your questions without hesitation. Take note if they seem evasive or brush off your concerns with an “It’s an old building” excuse. That’s not just a red flag—it’s a red nose flag.
It’s also smart to document what you notice. Snap photos, jot down notes, and be specific in your move-in inspection form. If you catch a musty smell near the window or a strange odor coming from under the sink, record it. This might feel overkill now, but it could save you a headache (and money) later, especially when getting that security deposit back is time.
Bottom line? Trust your nose and gut, and don’t let weird smells go unexplored. You deserve a home that feels good in every sense of the word.
Are You Looking for Trusted Everyday Movers?
Moving into a new apartment should feel like a fresh start—not a mystery. When you know what those strange smells are really saying, you’re empowered to address problems early, protect your health, and enjoy your space fully. A fresh-smelling apartment is lived-in, clean, functional, and free of surprises.
If you’re still in the planning stage, consider teaming up with Pink Zebra Moving. Our team knows the real stuff everyday movers deal with, like getting furniture through tricky hallways and spotting small details most folks miss. A smooth move starts with a great team, and we’ve got the skills and the good vibes to make it feel easy. Contact us today!